Huerter believes Kings will be ‘in the mix' for playoff spot

Share

With key offseason acquisitions contributing to a fresh and talented core, the Kings are hoping their 16-season NBA playoff drought will come to an end this year.

One of those newcomers, sharpshooter Kevin Huerter, sees no reason why it shouldn’t.

During his introductory press conference with Sacramento on Friday alongside fellow new King Malik Monk and general manager Monte McNair, “Red Velvet” said the team’s postseason dry spell was on his mind the moment he was traded to the 916 from the Atlanta Hawks.

“Obviously, that’s the first thing you hear of the second you get traded here is how long it’s been since they made the playoffs,” Huerter told reporters. “Like Malik said, again, the makeup we have here, I think the group of guys that have already been here, who they’re bringing in, the style of play, how we’re going to play is something that everyone’s excited about. 

“There’s no reason we shouldn’t be in the mix, for sure.”

Of course, Huerter knows what a playoff-caliber roster looks like after reaching the opening round of the most recent postseason with the Hawks.

Huerter is just 23 years old and rounds out a new young core in Sacramento that includes Monk (24), who recently joined the Kings in free agency, De’Aaron Fox (24), Davion Mitchell (23) and first-round draft pick Keegan Murray (21), not to mention 26-year-old Domantas Sabonis.

The West is tough, but Sacramento has kept stride with other teams in the conference working to craft better rosters for the upcoming season.

RELATED: Murray, Kings improbably force double OT in wild finish vs. Magic

The organization’s youngsters have showed out so far this summer, too, going undefeated in the California Classic and losing a tight, double-overtime game to the Orlando Magic on Saturday.

And with the offseason still underway, McNair might not even be done adding pieces to a Kings roster with plenty of promise already. 

For Huerter, this all points to plenty for Kings fans and players alike to look forward to. 

Contact Us